This week we are focused on Eluney Gonzalez riveting story “When We Get There” which tackles themes that are relevant today. Below are questions that allow us to explore these themes and how they affect us and society.
Main Theme # 1: Immigration
Excerpt: Instead of sleeping, he thought. He thought about the future, about the bizarre journey ahead of him. America! Once a word that meant opportunity, according to what his parents told him, was just at his fingertips within a few days. It was exciting. Just thinking about a place of legend made his heart race. It was something to be optimistic about, at least.
Question: How would you describe the "American Dream," and how do you think it affects immigrants' dreams when coming here? Do you think these dreams are realistic? Consider how your knowledge about our society impacts you answer.
Main Theme # 2: Diversity
Excerpt: “We immigrated here, just like you and your parents did. ... They came, I guess for the same reason your folks did, from the sounds of it. They wanted a better life, and doing that meant sacrificing a lot of things.” ...
“My mom said that the hardest part of leaving wasn’t just leaving behind everyone else. It was trying to make a new home here. When you go away from home, even if you don’t think you will, you take a part of it with you, too, like a piece of a puzzle. It might not be much, but there are always other people here, people with experiences like yours, all with their puzzle pieces. If you find the right community, and you all put your pieces together, then you can feel like you’re at home again.”
Question: Consider what the author means by "puzzle pieces." What is your "puzzle piece," and how do you think it fits into and contributes to your community? How do you think immigrants contribute to our communities?
"When We Get There" Discussion ✈️
"When We Get There" Discussion ✈️
"When We Get There" Discussion ✈️
This week we are focused on Eluney Gonzalez riveting story “When We Get There” which tackles themes that are relevant today. Below are questions that allow us to explore these themes and how they affect us and society.
Main Theme # 1: Immigration
Excerpt: Instead of sleeping, he thought. He thought about the future, about the bizarre journey ahead of him. America! Once a word that meant opportunity, according to what his parents told him, was just at his fingertips within a few days. It was exciting. Just thinking about a place of legend made his heart race. It was something to be optimistic about, at least.
Question: How would you describe the "American Dream," and how do you think it affects immigrants' dreams when coming here? Do you think these dreams are realistic? Consider how your knowledge about our society impacts you answer.
Main Theme # 2: Diversity
Excerpt: “We immigrated here, just like you and your parents did. ... They came, I guess for the same reason your folks did, from the sounds of it. They wanted a better life, and doing that meant sacrificing a lot of things.” ...
“My mom said that the hardest part of leaving wasn’t just leaving behind everyone else. It was trying to make a new home here. When you go away from home, even if you don’t think you will, you take a part of it with you, too, like a piece of a puzzle. It might not be much, but there are always other people here, people with experiences like yours, all with their puzzle pieces. If you find the right community, and you all put your pieces together, then you can feel like you’re at home again.”
Question: Consider what the author means by "puzzle pieces." What is your "puzzle piece," and how do you think it fits into and contributes to your community? How do you think immigrants contribute to our communities?